July 21, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- In what their coach described as "an up-and-down year," the Northwestern Wildcats returned to postseason competition for the fifth time in six years, but fell just 15 shots shy of their ultimate goal -- a berth in the NCAA National Championships.
"We played well in March and early April," said head coach Chris Regenberg. "The poor late April weather which hit the Midwest hurt our progress a bit heading into the Big Ten Championship and NCAA Regionals."
It was a March and early April to remember for the `Cats. Buoyed by senior Ina Kim's second-place individual finish, the team went on to capture the Mountain View Collegiate, besting all competition in the 15-team field. The Wildcats would follow with a strong third-place showing at the Lady Boilermaker, before finishing fifth at the Big Ten Championships and 14th at the NCAA West Regional Championships. Northwestern's 14th-place finish was three spots higher than its regional seed, but still six spots shy of a berth at nationals.
Despite weather-related setbacks, including the final-round cancellation of the Big Ten Tournament, strong individual postseason performances have the Wildcats looking toward the future. Out of the team's six returnees, five have already recorded postseason play this year with four competing at the NCAA West Regional Championships. And among those competing, it was the junior class who proved most consistent. Alice Kim, Heather Scholten and Kelly Robb combined to record the team's first, third and fifth best overall stroke averages respectively.
"Our junior class for next year is outstanding," Regenberg said. "They have provided enormous spirit and energy to our program and their leadership will be very strong next year."
Unfortunately for NU, its one loss was captain and All-Big Ten performer Ina Kim. Kim closed her collegiate career as one of Northwestern's best. Kim recorded six team-leading performances in her final season as a Wildcat.
"Ina played in every event during her four years and had excellent knowledge of the courses we played," Regenberg said. "She was a respected competitor and played very well in key tournaments for us."
Even without senior leadership, Regenberg says next year's team has the talent to elevate NU's status from perennial postseason participant to perennial postseason power.
"We feel very confident about our upcoming squad," Regenberg said. "This will be our most talented squad yet assembled and the players are extremely excited about the season."